Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised the governing body’s decision to overturn the red card issued to US forward Folarin Balogun.
Balogun was initially shown a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was expected to miss the next match due to suspension. However, FIFA later ruled that he would be available for the Round of 32 fixture against Belgium.
Reacting on X, Blatter questioned the reversal of the sanction and warned against external influence in football decisions.
“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls,” Blatter wrote on X.
“They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.
“If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?
“Football must never become a playground for political power.”
